NHTSA vehicle safety data
2005 Unimog U500 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2005 Unimog U500 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Unimog dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Unimog U500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NHTSA #06V457000Reported November 30, 2006 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 80 vehicles
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE EAS TRANSMISSION OPTION, A PROGRAMMING LOGIC ERROR IN THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM MAY PREVENT THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH FROM DISENGAGING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE (LOW-LOW RANGE).
Safety consequence
THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT CAPABLE OF OVERCOMING THE ENGINE TORQUE TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEEL ENDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. IF THE CLUTCH FAILS TO DISENGAGE THE ENGINE MUST BE SHUT-DOWN IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM TO PROVIDE REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. THE GEAR SHIFT ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED AND TWO RELAYS WILL BE ADDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-486.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
NHTSA #06V237000Reported July 3, 2006 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 54 vehicles
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SHIFT, AIR MAY LEAK INTO THE CLUTCH HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AT THE CENTRAL RELEASE BEARING SEAL PREVENTING THE CLUTCH FROM OPENING COMPLETELY AND POTENTIALLY PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL.
Safety consequence
FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH TO OPEN COMPLETELY OR THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL COULD MAKE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULTY TO BRING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD WHILE STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTRAL RELEASE BEARING AND UPDATE THE CLUTCH ACTUATION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-478.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Other Unimog U500 model years
Check your 2005 Unimog U500 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Unimog U500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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